People News

Slash remembers Jim Marshall

By April MacIntyre Apr 7, 2012, 3:55 GMT

Slash - "I consider myself very fortunate to have known the late Jim Marshall. He was such a fantastic individual. © Bernadette Giacomazzo/PR Photos

The man who invented the famous "Marshall stack" of amplifiers for rockers all over the world has died.

The inventor, Jim Marshall, died Thursday at 88 in an English hospice after suffering from cancer and several severe strokes, his son Terry Marshall told the Associated Press.

The publicists for Slash sent Monsters and Critics his statement:

"I consider myself very fortunate to have known the late Jim Marshall. He was such a fantastic individual.

Not only did he create the loudest, most effective, brilliant-sounding Rock & Roll amplifier ever designed, but he was a caring, hardworking family man who remained true to his integrity to the very end. His work ethic was unequaled and his passion unrivaled.

He took great care of me personally, as one of his loyal fans and Marshall Amp enthusiasts, ever since we first met in the early 90's.

At that time, he did the unprecedented; he had the first-ever Artist Model Marshall series designed for me when my Marshall amps were destroyed in a Guns N Roses concert riot in St. Louis in 1991. We had been friends ever since.

Jim cared for all his customers like they were his family. He would do whatever it took to make sure an artist was completely satisfied and he made sure his staff did likewise. It was very important to him that Marshall quality and customer care was paramount.

Jim's passing marks the end of a very loud and colorful era. From Pete Townshend to Kerry King, Marshall Amplifiers have been behind every great Rock & Roll guitarist since the beginning. Marshall Amplification is one of the most enduring, iconic brands of contemporary music history.

This industry will likely never see the likes of Jim again. But his legacy will live on forever."